“AFTER THOSE DAYS I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT” In Jeremiah 31:33 we read, “After those days,” as setting a date for the New Covenant. Why is this? And what “days” must precede the making of the New Covenant? God foretold that if Israel would be faithful he would bless them in every sense of the word, but that if they would walk contrary to him, he would walk contrary to them and chastise them “seven times for their sins.”…
“Hearken again to the Apostle’s discussion of the matter with the Galatians. He says, “This I say, that the [Abrahamic] Covenant, that was confirmed (“previously ratified“–Strong’s Lexicon) before of God in Christ, the Law [Covenant], which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” As showing the inferiority of the Law Covenant in comparison to the Old (original) Abrahamic Covenant, St. Paul tells us (Gal. 4:22-31) that Abraham’s two wives,…
What answer should be given to those who endeavor to “teach” that the Abrahamic Covenant, which had no mediator, was merely a promise on God’s part and not a Covenant at all? They claim that God’s promise to Abraham was merely a preliminary statement and that the New Covenant was sealed and made effective by the death of our Lord Jesus, and that he, as the Mediator of the New Covenant, mediates first between God and the Church, and that…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 continued, “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” To him that overcomes… The rewards set before the Lord’s followers in each of the seven apocalyptic periods are, without exception, to be granted not to over-comers in the ordinary sense of…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 continued, “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” He that has an ear let him hear… Jesus frequently used this familiar saying during his earthly ministry to call attention to remarks he wished his disciples to especially heed, grasp, and…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” This is the first of the seven choruses which contain BOTH the phrase “He who has an ear . . .” and “To him who overcomes . . .” The order is reversed,…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 4 “BUT… I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” “The word translated “patience” (in Verse 3) signifies a development of heart and character manifesting itself in an endurance of wrong or affliction with contentment, without rebellion of will, and with full acquiescence in the divine wisdom and love, which, while permitting present evils, have promised their overthrow in God’s due time. The Master recognizes and commends the existence…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 1 continued, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write… This is the import of the first phrase with which Jesus introduces Himself to Ephesus: “…These things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” WHO HOLDS THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND These angels are in his FAVOR (right hand) and in a position of guidance and…
QUALIFICATIONS for BEING ONE of the SEVEN ANGELS Much discussion has gone into naming the seven messengers (angels) to the seven Churches. On the whole, Bible students have been in basic agreement as to the identities of these individuals. Now and then, however, some of us may feel a bit uncomfortable with someone on the usual list and attempt a substitution. It is not unhealthy to question such things. It is wise, however, to have certain standards in mind before…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write… Once again Ephesus signifies “first” or “desirable,” and is characteristic of the first period of church history. Contemporaneous with the lives of the apostles and sometimes designated the “Apostolic Era,” this period covers the time span from *A.D. 34 to 70. In the effort of the early Christian Church to promulgate the gospel, two names predominate: the Apostles Peter and Paul. Of the…